Suspected Zanu-PF supporters torch NPF official's home

Suspected Zanu-PF supporters in Hurungwe allegedly burnt a hut and a gazebo belonging to a National Patriotic Front (NPF) official.

Sapren Kadamukombe's three children escaped unhurt after the grass-thatched hut in which they were sleeping was allegedly torched last Friday.

Kadamukombe reported the matter at Tengwe Police Station under RRB 2841620.

NPF Hurungwe East parliamentary candidate Sarah Mahoka said the burning of the hut happened after her Zanu-PF rival, Ngoni Masenda, addressed a rally in the afternoon, where he allegedly threatened to burn down huts belonging to villagers who refuse to support him.

"Even now, as we speak, there are now two torture bases one at Chivende and another one at a farm in ward 19 manned by 12 war veterans each to intimidate people. The people are always told that they will lose their farm if they support me," she alleged.

"The intimidation includes withholding of food aid to some people identified as my supporters. For example, Zanu-PF provincial chairman Ziyambi Ziyambi even called the district administrator to stop sending food aid to ward 3 because the councillor defected to NPF."

Mahoka claimed she had also reported the assault of her campaign agent and confiscation of her motor bike, which was later recovered at Tengwe Police Station two weeks ago.

Mashonaland West provincial police spokesperson Inspector Clemence Mabweazara yesterday said he had not yet received the report.

Masenda was not reachable, but Ziyambi said the party respected President Emmerson Mnangagwa's call for peaceful elections.

"I never called anyone to withhold food aid. As the chairman, my duty is to make sure that all people are fed," Ziyambi said.

"If there is anyone doing violent activities, police should do its work and they should be arrested."

"We also appeal to the international observers to begin to understand what we have always been saying, that Mnangagwa and his Zanu-PF preach peace on public platforms when, in fact, they are planning and are already executing a violent campaign," Mawarire said. - newsday